NOAC in "real world" patients with atrial fibrillation in Italy: results from the ISPAF-2 (Indagine Sicoa Paziente Con Fibrillazione Atriale) survey study.

In the past few years, new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) targeting directly a single activated clotting factor, have been developed for the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF), which are currently recommended as first-line therapy in AF. The aim of this study is to provide an overall picture on the extent to which oral anticoagulation (OAC) with NOACs correspond to actually prescribed OAC therapy in an unselected, real world, population of consecutive patients with AF in Italy. Compliance with the therapy and quality of life were also assessed.

[The slow acceptance of new oral anticoagulants in Italy: a critical analysis of a problem].

The introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) into clinical practice has revolutionized the prevention and the therapeutic approaches to thromboembolic events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and represents with no doubts one of the most remarkable advances in the history of cardiovascular medicine over the last years. NOACs beyond a comparable efficacy with vitamin K antagonists allow to overcome the limitations of this last category of drugs owing to their less drug to drug interactions and a predictable anticoagulant effect that allows a fixed dose administration without the need for continuous monitoring. However, the penetration of NOACs into the Italian market is still lower than predicted with respect to their use in other European countries.

[The Italian Survey on Cardiac Rehabilitation - 2013 (ISYDE.13-Directory): national availability and organization of cardiac rehabilitation facilities].

Background: The Italian Association for Cardiovascular Prevention, Rehabilitation and Epidemiology (GICR-IACPR) and the Italian Society of Cardiologists of Accredited Hospitals (SICOA) developed the ISYDE.13 survey with the purpose to take a detailed snapshot of number, distribution, facilities, staffing levels, organization, and program details of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) units in Italy.

Methods: The study was carried out using a web-based questionnaire running on the GICR-IACPR website for 4 weeks from September 2 to 29, 2013.

Incidence and clinical presentation of myocardial ischemia in patients with chronic CAD in Italy: the ISPICA survey study.

Aim: This survey study was performed to provide an overall picture on the incidence of symptoms, with or without typical angina, in the real-life clinical practice and to identify clinical factors associated with atypical presentations in an unselected population of consecutive outpatients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Thirty-six cardiology units located in different geographic areas of Italy enrolled a total of 1475 outpatients (73.6% men and 26.

ISMAR-study presentation: in-hospital epidemiology and clinical management of respiratory and cardiac comorbidities in cardiac and respiratory disease units.

Background: Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are leading causes of morbidity and their co-occurrence has important implications in mortality and other outcomes. Even the most recent guidelines do not reliably address clinical, prognostic, and therapeutic concerns due to the overlap of respiratory and cardiac diseases.

Study Objectives And Design: In order to evaluate in the reality of clinical practice the epidemiology and the reciprocal impact of cardio-pulmonary comorbidity on the clinical management, diagnostic workup and treatment, 1,500 cardiac and 1,500 respiratory inpatients, admitted in acute and rehabilitation units, will be enrolled in a multicenter, nationwide, prospective observational study.

Anticoagulation in "real world" patients with atrial fibrillation in Italy: results from the ISPAF (Indagine Sicoa Paziente Con Fibrillazione Atriale) survey study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a high risk of stroke and other thrombo-embolic events and their prevention relies on antithrombotic therapy, at present mainly with vitamin K antagonists (VKA). The aim of this study was to provide an overall picture on the extent to which current recommendations on oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy with VKA in AF correspond to actually prescribed OAC in an unselected, real world, population of consecutive patients with AF in Italy. Secondary objective was to assess the rate of "optimal" anticoagulation.

[Atrial fibrillation and new oral anticoagulants: a therapeutic revolution?].

Oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) with vitamin K antagonists significantly reduces thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but is associated with increased hemorrhagic risk. In older patients, despite a higher hemorrhagic risk, the net clinical benefit is in favor of OAT. In clinical practice, however, underuse of OAT and suboptimal quality control, with unsatisfactory INR time in therapeutic range, are frequently reported.